Thank you for publishing Mary Kay Rauma’s commentary about volunteer service on the magical isle of Vashon (“Speak up when volunteers get it right,” May 30). She has captured the essence of volunteering on our Island home.

There is another part of the story. If one were to look at the rosters of the boards of all of the Island groups that must have boards because of their tax-exempt status and the photographs of all of the hardy hands who show up for all of the activities that require workers, two things will be apparent: Many of the same people are on those rosters and in those photographs, and many of them are “citizens of a certain age,” or to be more precise, people drawing Social Security. The article on the Mukai farmhouse (“New board takes over Mukai farmhouse,” June 13) illustrates both points perfectly.

Here is another example of a need being filled by such conscientious citizens. I sit on the board of Vashon Community Care. VCC has been extremely diligent in managing costs so that we can continue to provide aging services for the Island, including for those who can no longer afford to pay. One area that has been restrained is in grounds maintenance. Through donations, we acquired a very efficient tractor, needing only volunteers to step forward to run it. Board membership was solicited to do this, and the members who were available were indeed the most senior in age. So we need a few good men and women who will come to VCC, run the tractor and weed whacker, with the hope that they will be volunteers who themselves do not need walkers!

The Island of which all of us are a part lives on volunteer effort more than any place that I have served. It takes more than the very small percentage who now help, as well as younger people, to keep all of these services afloat.

— Capt. Joe Wubbold